SGLK16001U Ethnicity and chronic
diseases in a global perspective

The aim of the course is to explore to which degree chronic
diseases emerge in different ethnic groups on a global level. Main
emphasis will be put on diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and
obesity. The course will provide the participants with a definition
of the concept of ethnicity/race followed by investigations in
different populations globally in order to show if and why chronic
diseases are more prevalent in specific populations. Studies in
Europeans (Caucasians) will be used as a reference. Different
questions will be addressed such as: are there biological
differences between ethnic populations? Are the WHO definitions of
for example overweight applicable in all populations? Do changes in
lifestyle have the same effect in all populations? The concepts
thrifty genotype, thrifty phenotype and the metabolic syndrome will
be defined and discussed. Furthermore, the course will make an
attempt to look ahead and give a qualified guess with regards to
the association between disease and susceptibility due to genetic
admixture as a result of migration and urbanisation on a worldwide
scale. Finally, the course will address the association between
chronic and communicable diseases which is highly prevalent in
developing countries. Course will also contain student
presentations in groups.

Explain basic concepts of the association between chronic and
communicable diseases;

Reflections of ethnicity in the context of disease risk
including potential consequences in the context of treatment and
preventive medicine.

Skills:

Read, evaluate and interpret results of original scientific
reports on different (ethnic) populations, (disease) exposures, and
diseases relevant to the course;

Critically evaluate international standards of disease
diagnosis by national and international bodies of health;

Present results of scientific reports on ethnicity and chronic
disease in a clear and sober manner. This includes evaluating
ethnic admixture and its possible influence on the conclusions of
the analyses given in the scientific reports.

Competences:

Transfer hypotheses/theories of ethnicity and chronic disease
to academia within health and medical courses in epidemiology,
clinical and basic science;

Transfer hypotheses/theories of ethnicity and chronic disease
to health institutions and organisations and implement these for
the purpose of optimising disease prevention, diagnosis and
treatment;

Professionally participate in health-related project
collaboration in which ethnicity plays a role either at the
individual or group level for a project as a whole or as a specific
objective.

The course will
primarily have a bio-medical approach. Furthermore, the course fits
well into studies such as public health science and medicine as
well as nutrition, physiology and human biology. The course will be
open to BA-students. Basic knowledge of medical/human biological
terminology is a requirement and to acquire skills within such
terminology must be expected

The course will primarily
have a bio-medical approach. Furthermore, the course fits well into
studies such as public health science and medicine as well as
nutrition, physiology and human biology. The course will be open to
BA-students. Basic knowledge of medical/human biological
terminology is a requirement and to acquire skills within such
terminology must be expected

Explain basic concepts of the association between chronic and
communicable diseases;

Reflections of ethnicity in the context of disease risk
including potential consequences in the context of treatment and
preventive medicine.

Skills:

Read, evaluate and interpret results of original scientific
reports on different (ethnic) populations, (disease) exposures, and
diseases relevant to the course;

Critically evaluate international standards of disease
diagnosis by national and international bodies of health;

Present results of scientific reports on ethnicity and chronic
disease in a clear and sober manner. This includes evaluating
ethnic admixture and its possible influence on the conclusions of
the analyses given in the scientific reports.

Competences:

Transfer hypotheses/theories of ethnicity and chronic disease
to academia within health and medical courses in epidemiology,
clinical and basic science;

Transfer hypotheses/theories of ethnicity and chronic disease
to health institutions and organisations and implement these for
the purpose of optimising disease prevention, diagnosis and
treatment;